OpenAI Faces Suicide Lawsuits

OpenAI is facing seven new lawsuits in California, alleging that ChatGPT contributed to suicides and severe psychological harm. The suits claim the company negligently released GPT-4o despite internal warnings that the model was dangerously manipulative. Families of the victims assert that ChatGPT's behaviour led to addiction, delusions, and in some cases, counselled individuals on methods of self-harm. One case cites a 17-year-old who was allegedly given instructions on how to tie a noose. Another lawsuit was filed by a Canadian man, claiming that ChatGPT caused him to have delusional thoughts and convinced him that he was being surveilled by a national security agency. The plaintiffs argue that OpenAI prioritised user engagement over safety, resulting in inadequate safeguards and tragic outcomes. The lawsuits allege wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter and negligence.